Shmulnik's Waltz
by Allan Knee, David Shire

This whimsical fable was a success at the Jewish Repertory Theatre and Off Broadway.

Shmulnik is a big hearted, penniless schlemiel.

He falls in love with the daughter of a prosperous merchant but is turned away by her father.

Her family emigrates to America and Shmulnik attempts to follow, but he gets on the wrong boat and is halfway to China before he realizes his mistake.

Finally, he gets to San Francisco and works his way across country to New York City only to find that his beloved is engaged.

Shmulnik ends up writing love letters for his rival.

At the wedding, Shmulnik learns that the older sister, a straight laced school teacher, actually wrote the wonderful letters he has been answering, and he finds that she the better matrimonial choice.